Attachment for suction-applying members of vacuum cloth hydroextractors



Oct. 23, 1923. 1,471,671

G. W. voELKx-:R

ATTACHMENT FOR SUG'TION APPLYING MEMBERS OF VACUUM CLOTH HYDROEXTRACTORS Filed Jlm` 21 1922 2 Sheets-'Sheet l ulllniunegfl' G. W. VOELKER ATTACHMENT FOR SUCTION APPLYING MEMBERS OF VACUUM CLOTH HYDROEXTRACTORS Filed June 21.

fr @yg Wm/7%@ *5% mw aywiw Patented Uct. 23, 1923.

il ETRE STATES GEORGE W. VOELKER, 0F WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND.

ATTACHMENT FR SUCTION-APPLYING MEMBERS OF VACUUM CLOTH HYDRO- EXTRACTORS.

Appiication flied June 2i, 1922. serial No. 569,929.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. VOELKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Woonsocket, in the county of Providence andState of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in' Attachments for Suction-Applying Members of Vacuum Cloth Hydroextractors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the type of vacuum cloth hydroextractors in which the cloth, held open to full width, passes over a slotted pipe which acts as a combination vacuum chamber and cloth support. The cloth passes over a slot in the top of said pipe. My improved slidable closure means for said pipe and automatic vaculfm seal, my present invention, render it practicable to merely attach the opposite end of the slotted pipe to an ordinary suction pump. In this type of machine there is no cover above the cloth and slot, and the full weight of atmospheric pressure is rested onthe cloth by means of the vacuum preserved in the chamber below, thereby greatly increasing the machines drying eiiciencv. The slotextends substantially the length of the pipe between the sides of the frame. The cloth does not pass over the entire slot. One object of my invention is to effectually and automatically seal the ends of the slot over which the cloth does not pass by means of a pad made out of sheet rubber or other flexible material, attached to the frame of the machine. which pad covers each end of the slot and extends far enough towards the center of the slot to provide for materials of varying width to be passed over. This pad contains slits cutc across it parallel to the direction in which. the cloth is fed. The cloth in passing between the slotted pipe and sealing pad raises certain of the rubber strips between the slits. The atmospheric pressure pressing on the entire top surface of the pads ei'ectually forces the portions of the pads under which the cloth doesnot pass against the slotted ipe,.and also allows no air to penetrate un( er the lower surface of the cloth being treated. It is thus seen that as the portions of the Slot extending beyond the selvedges of the cloth are effectually sealed, the vacuum creating efficiency of the suction pump is greatly increased.

Another object of my invention is to provide means to keepy ends of the slot at all extractor.

times perfect-ly sealed, and toy allow for the sidewise motion of the cloth. With the method usually employed of feeding the cloth by grip rollers or otherwise over the slotted portion of the pipe, a sidewise motion of the cloth normally results; As before mentioned, the seal contains slits, and the cloth in passing through raises certain of the rubber strips between the slits. As the body is made of rubber or other flexible material, as the cloth slides sidewise in passing over the slotted pipe, these narrow rubber'strips automatically slide down at once to seal the vacuum or are freely lifted-by the cloth selvedge, and the vacuum is always automatically maintained.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means for easing the starting of the suction pump. A slidable closure means is attached to the end of the slotted pipe away from the suction pump. The Dump is started with no load atd all, the slidable closure means is gradually operated until it closes "the entire portin the end of the pipe. In

this manner is the 'vacuum gradually established without too great 'an initial starting strain on the suction pump. This member may be opened, whenever desired, to quickly discharge the vacuum.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of part of a vacuum cloth' hydro-extractor partially in section, showing the slotted pipe with its vacuum seals and slidable closure means. v

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the slidable closure means.

. Figure L1 is a detail perspective view of a seal, and the vacuum pipe, showing the cloth passing through. l

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of a seal and a portion ofthe vacuum pipe, the cloth being shown in position.

Figure 6 is an inverted perspective view of the seal partiallybroken away. y

' In the drawings, 1 is the frame of a vacuum cloth hydro-extractor, in which are mounted feed rollers 2 for drawing the cloth spread out endwise over the slotted o pipe 3. The slotted pipe 3 is hollow and is the suction applying member of the hydro- It is mounted in the frame 1 of the hydro-extractor, and may be attached at one end to a suction pump -3a by the pipe Li.

The hollow pipe 3 has on its upper surface over which the cloth is drawn the slot 5 which extends substantially its entire length. At the end of the slotted pipe 3 opposite the pipe 4 which leads to the suction pump 3a is a slidable closure means. This comprises the flanged fitting G threaded on the end of the slotted pipe 3, and face 7 of which is smoothly surfaced and has on its outer periphery an extension 8, to which is pivotally mounted by the bolt 10, a closure 12 substantially disk shape and provided with the handle 13. The inner surface of the closure 12 is carefully finished for close engagement with the face 7 of the flanged fitting 6. The required friction between the closure 12 and the face 7 of the flange 6 i's obtained by means of the bolt 10, threaded into the extension 8. The closure 12 is provided with the notch 12a which is adapted to engage the pin 9 on the flange 6 to retain the closure 12 in closed position.

Extending between the sides of the frame 1 is means for mounting the sealing pads 18. This in the preferred form comprises a rod 14, suitably attached to the frame 1, on which are pivoted the sealing pad containers 15. These containers 15, in the preferred form, are made of suitable sheet metal, and have their longitudinal margins bent so as to form means for holding the sealing pads 18. The margin 11 is of substantially sleeveshape formation to provide for pivotal mounting on the rod 14. These containers 15 have, on their upper surfaces, the cut out portions 17, so arranged that the sealing pad 18 may properly function, and are constructed so as to leave an open portion 19 on their lower surface to allow the under face of the sealing pad 18 to conveniently rest on the slotted pipe 3 and the cloth 20 without presenting any metal surface thereto. iThe sealing pad containers 15 are fiattened out and contain flanges 21 on their lower face to retain the sealing pad 18 in proper position. The sealing pad 18 is made preferably of vulcanized rubber, but it is understood that any suitable flexible material be used. The preferred shape is rectangular to conveniently slide into the sealing pad container 15 and be held in position by the flanges 21 on its lower surface. It will be seen that as soon as the sealing pad wears out it may be removed @from the container 15 and a new one inserted. For sealing engagement with the slotted pipe 3 and the cloth 20 the sealing pad 18 has a series of transverse slits 22 parallel to the direction in which the cloth is fed cut across the surfaces exposed in the cut out portion 17 and between the fianges 21 on its lower bearing surface. AsA readily seen, this provides flexible rubber strips 23 of depth corresponding to that of the sealing pad for active functioning with the slotted pipe 3 and cloth 20. The stops 24 att-ached to the bar 14 are adapted to prevent the containers 15 from contacting the feed' roll 2 when the sealing pads 18 are not used and when they are thrown over to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.

In operation, the suction pump 3a is started. the slidable closure means 6 being open. There is no initial starting strain on the suction pump 3a. As the pump 3a gradually develops power, the plate 12 is slowly operated to cover the end ofthe pipe 3. In this manner a vacuum is gradually formed in the slotted pipe 3 without a great initial strain on the suction pump 3a. Thus a relatively small horse-power suction pump may be used. lVhen the member 12 is in fully closed position its finished surface co-acts with the finished face 7 to form a hermetic seal. As stated, this member may also be used at any time to quickly release .the vacuum. When the vacuum is developed in the hollow slotted pipe 3, the feed rollers 2 are started up, and the cloth 20 is fed over the slot 5 in the slotted pipe 3. A partial vacuum is created by the suction pump 3a in the pipe 3 and atmospheric pressure bears down on the upper surface of the cloth 20. This extracts a large percentage of the moisture out of the cloth, which moisture is drawn out by the suction pump 3a. VThe vacuum sealing pads 18 held in position as shown at each end of the slot 5, effectually seal the portion of the slot 5 not covered by the cloth 20 as follows. The cloth or material 20 passes over the slotted pipe 3, and each end or selvedge thereof passes underneath the sealing pads 18, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Atmospheric pressure, induced by the partial vacuum maintained in the slotted pipe 3 belowy presses the sealing pads 18 firmly against the cloth 20 and slotted pipe 3. The cloth 20 in passing underneath the sealing pads 18 lifts certain of the flexible rubber strips 23 between the slits 22, and as their depth is great enough to allow for the thickness of the cloth 20, they prevent air from rushing in underneath the lower surface of the cloth. As also stated, as these rubber' strips 23 are fiexible they allow free play for the sidewise motion of the cloth, and automatically are forced down at once to seal the vacuum when the cloth 20 slides in the opposite direction, or as they are flexible. they are freely lifted by the cloth selvedge when the cloth slides towards them, and a vacuum is thus automatically maintained.

What; I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters latent is:

1. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth or other material, in combination, a slotted member connected to a suction pump adapted to apply the suction to the material acted upon, means for drawing said adapted to ap-ply the suction to the cloth,

means for drawing the cloth spread out endwise over the slot in said member, slidable closure means at-tached to said memberu adapted to be slowly shut to ease the starting action of the suction pump, and to be opened when desired to release the vacuum, and means for automatically sealing the vacuum between the ends of the slot in the slotted member and the selvedges of the cloth.

3. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth or other material, in combination, a slotted member connected to a suction pump adapted to apply the suction t0 the material acted upon, meansV for drawing said material acted upon in open form over the slot in said member, and means for automatically sealing the lvacuum between the ends of the slot and the material acted upon.

4. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth, in combination, a suction pump, a hollow slotted member connected therewith adapted to apply the suction to the cloth, means for drawing the cloth spread out endwise over the slot in said member, and means for automatically sealing `the vacuum between the` ends of the slot in the jslotted member andthe selvedges of the cloth.

5. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth or other material, in combination, a slotted member connected to a suction pump adapted to apply the suction to the material 4acted upon, means for drawing said material acted upon in open form over the slot in said member, and slidable closure means attached to said member adapted to be slowly shut to ease the starting action ofthe suction pump, and to be ope-ned when desired torelease the vacuum.

6. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth, in combination, aV suction pump, a hollow slotted member connected therewith adapted to apply the suction to the cloth, means for drawing the cloth spread outl endwise over the slot in said member, and slid able closure means attached tov said member adapted to be slowly shut to ease the starting action oii the suction pump and to be opened whenldesired to release the vacuum in said slotted member.

7 In a machinev for extracting liquid from cloth or other material, in combination, a slot-ted member connected to a suction pumpadapted to apply thesuction to the material acted upon, means for drawing said material in open form over the slot in said member, slidable closure means attached to said member adapted to be slowly shutto ease the startingaction of the suction pump, and to be opened when desired to release the vacnum, and means for sealing the vacuum between the ends of the slot and the material acted upon.

8. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth, in combination, a suction pump, a hollow slotted member connected therewith adap-ted to apply the suction to the cloth, means for drawing the clo-th spread out endwise over the slot in said member, slidable closure means attached to said member adapted to be yslowly shut to ease the starting action of the suction pump, and to be opened when desired to release the vacuum,

and means for sealing the vacuum between the ends of the slot in the slotted member and the selvedges of the cloth. y

9. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth or othermaterial, in combination, a slotted member connected to a suction pump adapted to apply the suction to thematerial acted upon, means for drawing said material in open form over the slot in said member, slid-able closure means attached to said memberadapted to be slowly shut to ease the starting action of the suction pump, and to be opened when desired to release the vacuum, means for automatically sealing the vacuum between the ends of the slot and the material acted upon, without preventing lateral motion of the material acted upon.

10. In al machine for extracting liquid from cloth, in combination, a suction pump, -a hollow slotted member `connected therewith adapted to apply the suction to thev cloth, means for drawing the cloth spread out endwise over the slot in said member, slidable closure means attached to said member, adapted to be slowly shut to ease the starting action of the suction pump and to be opened when desired to release the vacuum, means for automatically sealing the vacuum between the ends of the slot in the slotted member and the selvedges of the cloth, without preventing lateral motion of the cloth.

11. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth` or other material, in combination, a slotted member connected to a suction pump adapted to apply the suction to the material acted upon, means for drawing said material actedA upon in open form over the slot in said member, means for automatically sealing the vacuum between the ends of the slot and the material acted upon, without preventing lateral motion of the material acted upon.

12. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth, in combination, a suction pump, a. hollow slotted member connected therewith adapted to apply the suction to the cloth, means for drawing the cloth spread out endwise over the slot in said member, means for automatically sealing the vacuum between the ends of the slot in the slotted member and the selvedges of the cloth, witlliout preventing lateral motion of the clot 1.

13. In a machine for extracting liquid vfrom cloth or other material, in combination, a slotted member connected to a lvacuum developing mechanism adapted to apply the suction to the material acted upon, means for drawing said material in open form over the slot in said member, slidable closure means attached to said member adapted to be slowly shut to ease the starting action of the vacuum de-velopingmechanism, and to be opened when desired to release the vacuum, and means for automati cally sealing the vacuum between the ends of the slot and the material acted upon.

14. In a machine for extracting liquid from cloth, in combination, a vacuum developing mechanism, a hollow slotted member connected therewith adapted to apply the suction to the cloth, means for drawing the cloth spread out. endwise over the slot in said member, slidable closure means attached to said member adapted to be slowly shut to ease the starting action of the vacuum developing mechanism Iand to be opened when desired to release the vacuum, and means for automatically sealing the vacuum between the ends of the slot in the slotted member and the selvedges of the` cloth.

15. A slidable closure means for the hollow slotted suction applyingmembers of vacuum cloth hydro-extractors of the character described, comprising a plate pivoted at one end of the suction applying member, the opposite end of which is attached to a vacuum developing mechanism and means whereby the plate may be opened and shut.

16. vacuum seal for hydro-extractors ot -the character described, comprising means for attaching the same to the frame ot the machine, means cut away at the top and bottom for containing a flexible member, land a flexible member having transverse slits therein parallel to the direction of the cloth in passing through the machine.

17. A vacuum seal for hydro-extractors of the character described, comprising a metal container and support, and a flexible body, having slits therein.

18. A vacuum seal for hydro-extractors ol the character described, comprising a flexible member, retaining means for said flexible member constructed to permit said flexible member to rest on the cloth and means for attaching said means to the frame ot the machine. ,l

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

GEORGE W. VOELKER. 

